Mali Lifts State of Emergency

{{Mali has lifted a state of emergency in place since January, when France intervened to help drive out Islamists occupying the north, officials say.}}

The move comes after Mali’s army re-entered the key town of Kidal, held by Tuareg rebels, to improve security ahead of the presidential election.

Rebels agreed to allow troops into the northern town as part of a peace deal.

The election on 28 July will be the first in Mali since the military staged a coup in 2012.

The occupation of Kidal had been a major obstacle to organising the presidential election.

Tuareg rebels captured the town after the French-led offensive forced militant Islamists out of northern Mali in February.

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